Compared to other countries in the Caribbean, particularly the nearby islands of Trinidad and Tobago, the Dutch island of Aruba is relatively safe for tourist travel year-round. Aruba does not have any extremist or terrorist group ties or instability, although drug trafficking and petty crime continue to cause problems on the island.

Common Crimes

The most common crime in Aruba is petty theft of personal items, such as phones, jewelry and cameras, and the occasional car theft. Theft is common in the island's tourist-friendly areas, which are the most highly populated regions on the island. Pickpocketing is a high concern in the district of San Nicolas, a tourism hot spot. Petty theft also occurs on the beach, where you are likely to leave your wallet on the sand while you swim. More serious crimes, like drug trafficking and homicide, may occur in the island's rural or residential communities.

Transportation Safety

As a U.S. tourist in Aruba, you are more likely to be involved in an auto accident than in a crime-related event. It is helpful that drivers in Aruba, like America, stick to the right-hand side of the road, but police do not regularly enforce drunk driving and speeding, which can result in serious accidents. Take caution when driving after a rainstorm, when roads may be slick. In more rural areas of the island, small animals may dart into the road without any warning.

Weather Safety

The five South American shelf islands, which include Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire, are the least likely in the Caribbean to be hit by a hurricane. However, the Caribbean Sea is also prone to earthquakes and tsunamis, which can hit any time of the year.

Health Safety

Aruba, like most islands in the Caribbean, is generally safe when it comes to health risks, although food-borne illnesses and diarrhea is a relatively high concern. To avoid contracting a food-related illness, do not purchase food from street vendors; stick to well-established restaurants if you want to sample the local fare. There are no vaccination requirements to enter Aruba, but if you plan on staying for a long period of time, consider a malaria and pre-exposure rabies vaccine.

If you plan on scuba diving or mountain biking in Aruba, wait 24 hours after your flight lands to avoid decompression sickness.

Tips and Considerations

Simple, common sense precautions will help you avoid petty crime in Aruba. For example, always walk in a group or in pairs, especially late at night. Leave large amounts of cash and valuables in your cruise stateroom or hotel room safe. When visiting Aruba's nightclubs and bars, drink responsibly, particularly after a long day in the sun.

If you are the victim of a crime in Aruba, notify the Aruban police or the U.S. Consulate General on Curacao. Avoid buying counterfeit or pirated merchandise, which is against the law in Aruba. The emergency number in Aruba, like the U.S., is 9-1-1.

About the Author

Leah Waldron is the head of Traveler Services at First Abroad, a gap year travel company based in Boston and London. As a travel, research and LGBT news writer, Waldron has publication credit on magazines and newspapers including "Curve Magazine," "USA Today," "The Sun Sentinel" and the "The Houston Chronicle." Waldron has a bachelor's and master's degree in creative writing from Florida State University.